Daily Inspiration by Dr. Jerry Burton

Sometimes Listening Is Best!

“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. (21) There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” Proverbs 19.20-21

The advice we receive here from Solomon is to be taken to heart. (1) Hear counsel; (2) receive instruction; (3) these two actions will lead to wisdom. I’ve always been puzzled by people who are unwilling to ask for counsel from someone who is able and willing to give them help. It does not make me a weak person to admit that I don’t know everything and that someone else may be able to give me a different perspective or additional information about the problem that I am facing. In fact, my unwillingness to ask for help is a sign of weakness. Solomon is clear when he says, “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end”. Only a fool doesn’t WANT to be wise. I have never met anyone who intentionally did not want to gain wisdom.
V. 21 takes us further in this discussion. Our heart has many devices (one translation says ‘Many are the plans in the heart of a man’). Sometimes we entertain so many ideas in our hearts that we don’t know which one we want to execute first. But our failure comes when we fail to seek the wisdom that only the Lord can provide. Solomon reminds us: “the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand”. God’s purpose for us does not change just because we change our minds or our circumstances change. The counsel (purpose) of the Lord stands unchangeable. Let me encourage you today to always give consideration to God’s purpose for you before you consider any other course of action. Remember that His counsel or purpose will stand. Just my thoughts …